FIR filed after fake, morphed AI image of CM Himanta Sarma circulated, says Assam CMO

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Guwahati, Oct 5 (IANS) The Assam Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) has raised an alarm over the circulation of an allegedly fake and digitally manipulated image of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on social media, saying the content was artificially generated and deliberately created to mislead people.

In a statement issued on Monday, the CMO said the image has no connection with reality and was fabricated using artificial intelligence.

“The Chief Minister’s Office, Assam has taken serious note of the deliberate circulation of a completely FAKE and morphed image of Hon’ble Chief Minister Dr @himantabiswa on social media. The image, created using Artificial Intelligence, is entirely fabricated and has no basis in reality whatsoever,” said the CMO in the statement.

It said that the doctored content was circulated with the intention of misleading the public and tarnishing the Chief Minister’s image.

The CMO said a case has been registered in connection with the incident and that individuals allegedly involved in creating and disseminating the fabricated image have been identified.

“Legal proceedings have been initiated against those responsible for creating and circulating the fabricated content,” the statement said.

The Chief Minister’s Office warned that the creation and dissemination of manipulated digital material through social media amounted to misuse of online platforms and could have serious consequences, particularly when such content is designed to create a false impression among the public.

The CMO said strict legal action would be taken against all persons found to be involved in the alleged campaign.

With the rapid spread of AI-generated images and digitally altered content across social media platforms, authorities have increasingly urged users to verify information before sharing or reposting it.

The Assam CMO also appealed to social media users to exercise caution and avoid amplifying unverified material concerning the Chief Minister or the state government.

It specifically urged individuals who may have already shared or reposted the image to verify its authenticity and refrain from further circulation of the content.

The development comes amid growing concerns over the use of artificial intelligence and digital manipulation to manufacture misleading images and information, particularly involving public figures.

The CMO maintained that such fabricated material can be used to create confusion and influence public perception without any factual basis.

The office reiterated its appeal to citizens to rely on verified sources and exercise discretion while consuming and sharing content online. Authorities are continuing legal proceedings in the case, with the CMO stating that action will be taken against all those found responsible for creating and spreading the allegedly fabricated image.

–IANS

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PM Modi assures Arunachal, Nagaland MPs of support to tackle floods

New Delhi, July 30 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday assured five Members of Parliament from Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland that the Central government would extend all necessary support and continue working in close coordination with the concerned state governments to effectively tackle the challenges posed by the ongoing heavy rainfall and floods.

After meeting the MPs from the two Northeastern states, PM Modi posted on his official X account: “Had a meeting with MPs from Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. We talked about the situation in these states in the wake of floods there. The Central Government will keep working with the respective state Governments to address the challenges. Praying for everyone’s wellbeing and safety.”

Led by Union Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, the five parliamentarians met the Prime Minister at Parliament House, New Delhi. They discussed the ongoing flood situation in the two states.

Later, Rijiju said in a post on his X handle: “The Members of Parliament from Arunachal Pradesh & Nagaland met Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi ji at Parliament House, New Delhi & apprised him of the prevailing flood situation in both states. Hon’ble PM assured full assistance & has already given necessary directions for ensuring timely relief, restoration & support for the affected people.”

Other members of the MP team which met the Prime Minister included Tapir Gao (Lok Sabha, Arunachal Pradesh), Tai Tagak (Rajya Sabha, Arunachal Pradesh), S. Supongmeren Jamir (Lok Sabha, Nagaland) and S. Phangnon Konyak (Rajya Sabha, Nagaland).

Except for Congress MP S. Supongmeren Jamir, all other members belong to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Tapir Gao, elected to the Lok Sabha from the Arunachal East parliamentary constituency, said in a post on X: “We express our heartfelt gratitude to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji for graciously meeting the MPs of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland and patiently listening to our concerns regarding the prevailing flood situation. Hon’ble Prime Minister assured us of all possible assistance from the Government of India in providing relief and support to the affected people.”

Both Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh have been affected by heavy rains and floods since last month, claiming many lives and damaging properties, infrastructure, houses and crops.

The Indian Air Force (IAF), in close coordination with the Nagaland government, continued large-scale rescue and relief operations in the landslide-hit areas of the state.

More than 300 stranded civilians have been safely evacuated so far from different locations, while essential relief materials have been airlifted to remote districts cut off by damaged road networks.

Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Minister Kiren Rijiju and Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu recently conducted joint physical and aerial surveys of the flood-affected areas in Arunachal Pradesh.

Chouhan assured comprehensive Central assistance for flood-hit Arunachal Pradesh, announcing a detailed assessment of the damage and promising new houses for families whose homes were washed away, besides compensation for losses to crops, agricultural land and livestock.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister earlier said that the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were apprised of the situation, and the Central government would extend every possible assistance.

He expressed confidence that the joint efforts of the Centre and the State would restore normalcy at the earliest, while also working on scientific and long-term solutions to manage such natural disasters in the future.

–IANS

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Uttarakhand rivers swell after heavy rainfall; landslides, flooding trigger concern

Dehradun, Sep 2 (IANS) Torrential downpours in Uttarakhand have caused rivers and streams to overflow and disrupted normal life in several areas.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast very heavy rainfall on Wednesday, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in several districts of the state for the next few days.

Given the state’s mountainous terrain, intense rainfall could further increase the risk of landslides, falling debris, waterlogging and disruptions on roads in vulnerable areas.

The Bin River in Rishikesh was already flowing in spate, while the Gaula River in Haldwani also witnessed a significant rise in its water level. Haldwani recorded 192 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending Tuesday, highlighting the intensity of the downpour in the region.

Meanwhile, the swollen Shipra River near Kainchi Dham left people stunned. The river, which usually flows calmly outside the temple, took on a completely different and fierce appearance on Tuesday after continuous rainfall. The sight of the river overflowing with a massive volume of water was difficult to associate with its normally peaceful flow.

The Shipra River originates in Bhawali and joins the Kosi River at Garampani Khairna. However, continuous rain since Monday night caused the river to swell considerably and overflow. Despite the heavy rainfall, the number of devotees at Kainchi Dham remained low on Tuesday, leaving the area in front of the temple relatively empty.

The temple’s protective wall and the pillars supporting the bridge remained intact despite the strong flow of water, and no damage to the temple was reported. Religious activities and worship at the temple continued as usual.

In Nainital district, water from the Kakariya drain, which flows behind Pandeychhod village in Alchauna, began entering residential areas, creating difficulties for local residents. By afternoon, the flow from the drain had intensified significantly, with water entering nearly two dozen houses.

The administration, along with local villagers, launched efforts to evacuate the affected residents and move their belongings and valuables to safer locations. As the stormwater from the drain continued to rise, several houses became increasingly vulnerable, forcing residents to move their possessions out of the affected areas.

The affected families are reported to have suffered considerable losses due to the flooding. Following the situation, the administration issued notices to 23 families residing in the area, asking them to vacate their houses and move to safer locations.

Meanwhile, continuous rainfall has also disrupted normal life in Chamoli district. Roads have been blocked at several locations, while the Alaknanda and Pindar rivers are flowing in spate following the persistent downpour.

The rising water level of the Pindar River has triggered concern and panic among people living close to its banks. Visuals from the Karnaprayag area show the river’s swollen waters and powerful waves reaching dangerously close to residential buildings, hotels and other structures located along the riverbank.

With the river continuing to rise, anxiety among residents has increased. The administration has been making repeated appeals to people living along the riverbanks to remain alert, exercise caution and move to safer locations whenever necessary.

Officials have warned that continued rainfall could cause river and stream levels to rise rapidly, and residents have been advised to avoid going near swollen rivers, streams and other water bodies. The administration is closely monitoring the situation in vulnerable areas and urging people to follow safety advisories.

The administration has urged people to avoid vulnerable locations and remain alert to the possibility of landslides, flooding and other rain-related emergencies.

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Cabinet approves Rs 1,235 crore housing project in Andhra’s new capital Amaravati

New Delhi, June 10 (IANS) The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved the construction of the general pool residential accommodation at Andhra Pradesh’s new capital city, Amaravati, with an investment of Rs 1,234.91 crores

“The project will be funded by the Government of India through budgetary support under the Head of Account: 4216 – Capital Outlay on Housing (Residential Buildings),” a Cabinet communique said.

The project will be executed by the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs through the Central Public Works Department (CPWD). Pre-bid activities have already commenced, and the preparation of tender documents is presently in progress, it added.

The objective of the proposal is to alleviate the financial burden on Central government employees by providing adequate residential accommodation, thereby enhancing their morale, promoting integrity, and contributing to their overall well-being. Further, by enabling staff to reside in close proximity to their workplaces, the project will support efficient government functioning and ensure that employees remain readily available to discharge their official duties effectively, the communique said.

The General Pool Residential Accommodation (GPRA) Campus in Amaravati is planned over an area of 17 acres. The development comprises 11 residential towers with a total of 1,504 dwelling units, ranging from Type II to Type VI, including refuge areas. The project provides basement parking facilities accommodating 1,972 Equivalent Car Spaces (ECS). The total built-up area of the project is 31.30 lakh square feet (2,90,762 square metres), including a basement area of 9.10 lakh square feet (84,394 sqm).

This marks the first GPRA project in the new capital city, as well as within the state of Andhra Pradesh.

Across the globe, there is a growing emphasis on adopting environmentally friendly and sustainable construction practices. In line with this objective, the proposed GPRA Campus in Amaravati envisages that all buildings will be planned and designed in strict compliance with the best green building standards prevailing in India, with a strong focus on minimising environmental impact through sustainable site planning, enhanced energy efficiency, water conservation, usage of locally available materials, and improved occupant health and comfort, the communique said.

The campus will be designed, constructed, and registered to achieve a minimum GRIHA 4-Star Rating, in compliance with the latest provisions of the Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Code (ECSBC) 2024 and requirements of Eco-Niwas Samhita (ENS) 2024.

The GPRA Campus in the new capital city will be equipped with essential civic and community amenities, including a bank and ATM, post office, creche, community hall with dining facilities, food court, shopping complex, service centre, and guest house. The campus will incorporate a barrier-free built environment to ensure accessibility and convenience for Divyangjan (persons with disabilities), in compliance with applicable accessibility standards.

The project is expected to generate significant direct and indirect employment opportunities for skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled workers. It is estimated to create approximately 7.00 lakh man-days of employment per annum during the construction phase, followed by the sustained generation of around 50,000 man-days of employment per annum during the operational phase, the statement added.

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